Opting Out, Opting In

Finally, there's baseball news worth our attention. Monday's big developments involve players choosing to sit out 2020, due to the pandemic, or getting the chance to play, after being overlooked during February and March.
Our lead-off batter, Ian Desmond, cites family concerns in his decision not to play this year. In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, the 11 year veteran mentions not only COVID 19, but racism, homophobia and the player-owner rift as reasons he'll spend this summer with his family. Desmond is far from alone: other familiar names joining this lineup include Nationals mainstay Ryan Zimmerman and pitchers Joe Ross (Washington) and Mike Leake (Arizona).
On the other hand, the Melkman is back. Switch hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera has landed with the Mets organization. The well-traveled 15 year veteran returns to the city where his big league career began -- but like the photo below (from 2016) will be at Citi Field, where he'll re-connect with good pal Robinson Cano on a "win now" club prioritizing experience. Thus, Cabrera and veteran infielder Gordon Beckham hold more appeal than some of the organization's top prospects, or minor league drawing card Tim Tebow.

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